Coast Guard fears for SS United States before voyage to Alabama

The SS United States, a 900-foot-long ocean liner, has been docked at Pier 82 in Philadelphia since 1996. Originally, the vessel was expected to leave the pier nearly a month ago, but its departure was delayed due to adverse weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Current reports indicate that the Coast Guard is concerned about the ship's structural integrity and proximity to bridges on the Delaware River as it prepares to move to Alabama. The ship, which is set to be repurposed as the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Destin, Florida, requires further examination and documentation from Okaloosa County, which acquired it in October for a reported price exceeding $10 million. Additionally, the ship's height poses potential issues with clearances at local bridges, including the Walt Whitman Bridge. The Delaware River Port Authority has yet to be informed of any clearance changes. There is a looming deadline for the ship's removal, as attorneys representing Pier 82 mentioned a severe penalty of $100,000 will be enacted if the ship remains docked after December 13; subsequently, a new deadline was established for January 31. Over the years, many grand plans for the SS United States have been proposed, but none have been successfully realized, emphasizing the urgency surrounding its departure and the need for compliant maritime operation to accomplish the ship's relocation and future transformation into an artificial reef.